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Thursday, January 28, 2010

My new pictures...

When I tell some people who didn’t know me as a model that I was once one of the most sought after models in Naija ... they give this kind of look that says "really?’ – Yes really!

A designer recently introduced me to someone as an ex-top model; the lady looked at me and said “Oh Really? in Nigeria?” – No, in Niger Republic...lol

I usually don’t come across as an ex-top model, mostly because of my ‘girl next door’ look, plus I’m always simply dressed, with minimal or no make-up at all. I’m not a *glamour glamour* kind of person...the only time I fix nails or eyelashes is when I have a very serious photo shoot, otherwise I’m all bare. There are a lot of girly things I don't bother myself with...maybe that's why I don't easily come across as a former model.

I've even once heard a girl say "It's only in Nigeria she can be a supermodel". - Whatever, bitch!...lol

Seriously I don't know what it was, but something worked for me because I really was big in my time. One time model of the year. One time highest paid. One time best runway model (Think Naomi Campbell...lol). And I can't even begin to count how many products I represented, plus all the billboards. But unfortunately for us models in Naija, modeling doesn’t bring you fame. Maybe some cash, but not fame. You have to tell your own story yourself. So I’m grateful for my blog, at least here I can share my thoughts, my stories and on days like this – my pictures.

I took these pictures for no purpose at all. I actually went to the studio to take just one photograph for a book project I’m working on and decided to take a few clothes (and one shoe...:-)) along just to pose a little...lol.

Check the pictures out...

This outfit was made by KFA fashions...loves it!

And the pictures were taken by Austin Osagie, who by the way is one of Naija’s best photographers, with world class equipments. Austin can be reached on 08033254892.

So what do you guys think of my pictures, cute or cute? You can abuse me o but not too much...lol

79 comments:

Buttermint
said...

awww...Linda I just love you....its scary cos i feel like I know you personally but i actually just know u through your blog....Honestly i never knew you nor heard of you as a model...but as you said in naija models have to tell their story and sell themselves....Omoh u be correct girl...i love the photo shoot....my favorite outfit is the last one...(black and pink)...you certainly are amazing....I think you should do a video blog one day...plus it would also help to put some of you past model pics up in an album here so we can all view you from back in the day.....

Go LINDYYY...you are a fine gurl oh....u even have big forehead like me..but u rock it with grace...i love it!

linda u r soooo pretty, i personally think u shld dress like this more often or atleast wen u r going for major events and silence d haters once and for all, no matter how humble we d truth remains IMAGE IS EVERYTHING! so we hav got 2 stay fab. lovely pics chick

I love the pictures... The contrast between the girly girl and the harsh realistic background, especially on the stairs was gorgeous... Instead of the typical studio backgrounds...

As for ur modelling, people can be bitchy in Naija if u r not a doctor or banker or lawyer... That's just culture. It is no reflection on ur talent or achievement. Which is quite commendable, by the way... I love the way you carry yourself in pictures. Your effortlessness definitely makes the clothes come across better.

Ur a fab lady with potential to even be more fabulous however I guess it frustrates some when they see you look so simple all the damn time..almost like u don't care. As much as I cannot understand why they hurl insults in the process, I do sorta kinda see where they are coming from.

Trust! I am in d same d boat as u. I am not one to be decked out all d time in make-up, super expensive clothes and all but surely that's changing. Thanks to my mother and to some unpleasant life experiences. If not, God knows I'd be in sweats all d time, hair unbrushed , super fat, unkept, d whole works. Comfort is key for me! but unfortunately some of all those hot clothes et al, are not so comfy..but wetin man go do naa?

The truth is that we are judged by our outer appearance all the time despite how much we would prefer we not be. I mean that is the first thing people see.So no matter how much u like to think you "do not care", truth is U somehow HAVE TO. U MUST put in effort from time to time, if not forget about screaming about your accolades as a one time top model because It'll be hard for many to believe you. No one likes to believe a walking contradiction.

You do not have to change who you are as an individual but we are all a product of our environment and somehow have to adapt to it. U can remain simple but still fab nonetheless. Besides being OTT isn't always cute anyway.

And lastly, since you are looking to get outta d single market sharpish, Ur look game must be on par with the kind of guys u are attracted to.

i love d black and pink outfit,makes u look like a ballerina in a tutu...nice.linda pls put up pics of d billboards and stuff so dat d olofofos will be silenced..i guess u were modelling wen the modelling thing wasnt in vogue cos its from ur blog i know u...

You just looove yourself too DAMN much..ahn ahn..We get it, u WERE once a "MODEL", so damn what...Gosh.. If I see one more post about YOU ranting about how u USED to be a "MODEL"... Nice dress btw (with the black bottom), but pls cut all these self-praise OUT!..It aint cute!

Linda u ar pretty, and that cant be questioned, but i feel u should show us pictures of when u were big and those billboards u were talking about, i dont think u should always try so hard to convince us of how big u said u were. and which other models were in ur era? Av bin in this business for long and i know, and am waiting. pls post this comment.

It’s amazing how you post suck ups on your blog your picture as far as am concern needs a lot of work and your narcissistic stance is a cry for help on your path you need help with yourself esteem issue. The world of fashion is curl and they would tell you as it is, you should know that since you claim to be a super model in your days. Honestly be sincere with yourself are those pictures really model material, or what you would show a talent agency? I don’t think so.

lol...u r too cute. Always candid. Seriously, no matter what u do, u have that wholesome girl next door look that most models aren't associated with....(still evident in these pics). Embrace urself and be who u r.period. To be honest, when i see those pics and all ur pics, i see Linda Ikeji, not a model (dunno if that makes sense)....but its actually a good thing because it means u exude individuality. Dunno if u were tryn to model in these pics but u still look like the cute wholesome Linda... :)....maybe its the braids.lol....Just be u jare. BTw, i remember u once saying u were 5'7 or so, which is pretty short for an average model. Boy, u must have had a serious umph factor that got u so far ahead in ur time...lol

Hi Linda,I too never heard of you until I came across your blog. You are not only beautiful you are also an intelligent lady and the sky is your limit. You've got a lot of potential, don't let the haters bring you down ever.

Ok, Linda ever since I started visiting your blog, I truly just fell in love with you as a person. You do exude the 'girl next door' persona which may or may not fly in modelling world. However, I have to say that you do have a nice body and to die for legs if when combined with glam style will make you top model material world-wide. I totally ditto what "dith" said in her post. I have to say that you really have to do a complete makeover of your style. Its too dry and boring. I was glad to see the outfits in the pictures and they're quite nice. I was really beginning to wonder if you had nice clothes in your warddrobe. Like that outfit you wore to Nike's b-day was totally outrageous. Pls heed to "Dith" advice and make yourself more stylish than boring on most days. Let the days you're caught looking drop dead gorgeous flaunting that forehead and sexy legs outnumber your blah days. Pls ask for opinion by true stylists b4 you step out of the house. I truly want to root for you but you haven't sold me.

Sista.......models are judged by their body not by their clothing. The less you wear as a model, the more people are going to relate with you as a model. Give us some more bikini shots of yourself as a model. Learn from Tyra Banks.

i love d fact dat u said we should abuse u but small,lolur sweetope u can withstand a bit of criticism cos i totally love ur blog..

u don't have to prove urself to any1,writing a full page about how u were a 'supermodel' bla bla comes off as a bit obnoxious.

2. d pics on ur page, d ones in green..it's a bit off..d poses,the photographer is not doing justice to the angles u could get..he keeps making ur legs look chunky,which reduces ur body length and ends up making u look short..and holding that next super model board in dat pix,just doesn't cut it.. I do love you totally but i MUST be honest.

Linda i love ur legs. Like u said this was to be a one foto shoot for a book which ended in u taking some random pix. With what i've seen if u decide to return to the game u'll definately be great again. I dont see anything wrong with u selling ur self on ur blog or talking about the good ol days. We all do it. B4 i 4get i still love ya legs.

Nice one Linda. I love how the outfit contrasts the background...tres cute!but one thing oh, you didnt shave ur legs ni? or is it the camera? you coulda also painted ur toes.Love the pics though! You look hawt...keep up the good work girl!

I love Linda, that's my gurl, and I mean that. I just love her simplicity, and she seems like a down to earth person.

Honestly, no matter what, you will always have the girl next door look, and there's nothing wrong with that. I'm not even trying to bash you, but the pics are just regular. Anybody can take those pics or even look better. When I think of models, especially an ex supermodel, I just want to see fierceness. You don't even have to be glam, but something that just strikes like she's definitely a model. When I see Iman, even dressed down, I'm like she's a model. There are many models out there, with the girl next door look, but there's still something that strikes that she's a model. Nothing that says model, strikes for me, I just see you as a regular cute girl.

Maybe, bcos modeling is not as big in Nigeria as in the States or Europe, or it's not our thing, so Nigerians still hasn't gotten what modeling is about. Nigerians need to stop calling wearing some outfits, posing at your back yard, random pics, standing in front of a building or a car or store, modeling, it's embarrasing. If you mention it here in the States, that you were once a supermodel, it will be like a joke, not bcos of your looks, but bcos modeling here is a totally different ball game. If Nike Oshinowo says I was once a model, that I can see.

If you want to prove to us, Post some pics of you back then, even a video of you walking the runway or smth, then I will be convinced. And again, my point is, I don't doubt if u walked the runway before or you were once considered a top model in Nigeria, the question is,did you fit into the standard or expectation of what a supermodel is about, before Nigerians crowned you the most sought after supermodel in Nigeria. I doubt it, bcos some of them have no idea what it is to be a model or a supermodel, and what modeling is about. Ok, you have the body, but modeling is more than that.

I will say is either you drop it or u show us some pics or videos of you back then, doing your modeling thang or for now, we will just work with the simplicity, non glam, colorphobic, of Linda Ikeji. I still got mad love for u tho, bcos I like you for being you.

LOL funny comments..chei i totally agree with DITH..linda the forehead thing is so true, u should do hair styles that cover it totally or half bangs...something like that ...generally fine chickhonestly i never heard of u too,the linda i know is the one on this blog but its good to know how daring u are...stay blessed

Hey Linda, nice photos and your poise is excellent. You really look lovely. You photographer should know about how to minimise the harshness of the background as the background took the edge off the photos and made them look too busy i.e. too much going on. Keep on keeping on, you are doing well.

Good looks but I don't think Linda would have made it as a model in the UK or US because as far as modelling scouts are concerned, she is just not slim enough (even though she is actually thin) and also she is too pretty (have you noticed that most professional models you see on the catwalk are actually very ugly women? check out Alek Wek and Oluchi or even Tyra Banks and compare them against Linda and you will see exactly what I am talking about- the first three are not exactly what you will call beautiful women but Linda is)

linda i like your sense of humor, a lot of people would have been crushed with the amount of negativity you sometimes get, by people who dont even know so im glad you are mature enough to know those comments dont mean anything.

nawaa ooosee commentslinda, it's true shaain the new world, you wouldn't cut it as a model..maybe for billboards, yeh but for runway,not possible.. you are pretty in your own right but nothing is STRIKING about you.Maybe you have a lovely personality,that may be able to work for you. Nike Osinowo may pass cos of her poise,body length and beautiful pictures..she doesnt even have to try hard.. The leg thing you do,the tyra pose,doesn't work for u dear. I love you to bits oo but we must talk true.

All said.. Think it's dat esteem issue. I see u all the time in City People and they talk about ur sister in relation to u..linda, u stopped being on ur way a long time ago, u arrived so stop trying to prove anytin cos ppl will always av a problem wt u- even after ur demise!The once a model thing pls cut it out..nuff!

All said.. Think it's dat esteem issue. I see u all the time in City People and they talk about ur sister in relation to u..linda, u stopped being on ur way a long time ago, u arrived so stop trying to prove anytin cos ppl will always av a problem wt u- even after ur demise!The once a model thing pls cut it out..nuff!

chei,linda is not anywhere near beautiful and i wonder when she was the most sought after model.d truth is dat this pix are nice at least better than what i have been seeing on your blog.like sumone said,maybe u dnt have clothes in your wardrobe.or i just think you dont have dress sense.i love you for your simplicity and keep up the good work on your blog.at least if you faded so early on d modeeling scene.you can develop other things tru ur blog.no hard feelings.

I was just reading the previous comments and i'm surprised pple keep saying they never heard of you as a model, as if pple really hear of models in Nigeria unless they win some competition like oluchi or Agbani. Those pple should go and sit down somewhere. Nigeria is not America where pple typically "hear" of top models. I don't think u have to prove anything to anybody. Some people will just have to fester and die in their jealousy. You really can't do much to help them. Even if you sit down and show them every single picture or billboard of you as a model they will still have something to say.

Linda... to be sincere, I knew you from the time you were once a top model. It is funny people cant believe. Dont be sad, it works for all models. I live in United States and I once saw Naomi on the streets on nyc, and trust me, she wasn't that flashy or top class like we see on TV or mags. But, Linda, you are one down to earth earth that are hard to find.. keep it up and sky will be your limit.

ok this what i thinkmaybe yes you did some model gigs .But i think were good on runway and not editorial.YOU CAN NOT TAKE FABULOUS PICTURES.I DARE YOU TO OPEN VOGUE AND TRY AND POSE LIKE THE LADIES THERE.YOU DONT HAVE THE SKILLYOUR HEAD IS REALLY BIGGER THAN YOUR BODY.If your so fashion forward and you have the experience you will know how to compliment and know what fits you.I do think you like silly attention.Try and compare your pictures to that of oluchi...Even Nike Oshinowo take greater pictures than you.

WTH, do u mean by she's not slim enough. For your information, she's slim enough, and even if she can gain some weight, that will be good. If you see Tyra Banks, when she was doing runways for victoria secret, she was double size the size of a typical model, so what are you talking about? The three women you mentioned are beautiful, even though sometimes modeling agencies want looks like Alek Wek or Oluchi bcos they have unique features, the super dark skin to the long legs of Oluchi. If you call Linda beautiful, and not Tyra, or say that Linda is not thin enough, u obviously don't know what you talking about.

Babe, we all know you were once a model...so no need to blow your trumpet or to wear a billboard on your neck advertising it. seriously, you need to come to reality that time is not on your side anymore...accept that fact that you're not a model anymore and move on. there are better things in your life worth celebrating now than always looking back to those good ole days...we all do that sometimes; but that's just life for you...it's constantly changing and newer babes and chicks are now on the block repping...it's like Okocha or Amokachi trying to tell us they were once great footballers; we all know that, but that's like 10yrs ago....the new generation Nigerians dont know that...so that's what you going through...live for the moment and relive the past for good memories that is; but you can't carry that model tag on your neck all your life!BTW, you are always beautiful...and ravishing; like they always say....the older you get, the better you look...like an old wine tasting better with age!!

Linda toh bad. I'm really impressed with your clothes. No offence but who knew youu could dress up like this? Like a couple of people on here have said pls pls pls dress like this more often for your major events. It will help a lot. Yes, i totally agree you don't come off as an ex-supermodel but that doesn't mean s...t. You were once a supermodel there is nothing anybody can say or do to change that. It is what it is. I love that you are very down to earth and simple. Just keep your head up. Kisses!!!!

Na wah o!people just don't get it....ITS HER BLOG!!! She can do,write,upload whatever she likes on it.FULL STOP!!! If however she bores you about her past career in modelling,kindly move on to millions of other blogs out there or better still start your own!!!hisssss!!!! Linda you are a very strong woman o digesting all these insults!!

to the reader who claims I don't know what I am talking about- it would be better to read my comments correctly- I said, 'as far as modelling scouts are concerned'- please note comments before critizing me- note that I also stated that she is very thin! If you need any more evidence as to whether or not Linda would have made it as a model, you only need to read the link to see exactly what I am talking about: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/22/world/kampala-journal-rating-beauty-with-a-tape-measure-inch-by-inch.html?pagewanted=1F

Linda i have a high forehead & would never have my hair the way you had yours in the pictures. Your hairstyle made your head look too big. Try using side parting and centre parting a lot instead of flicking your hair from the front backwards. I don't like the poses in the pictures. You looked like you were trying too hard. There's one in the studio that made you look neckless and posing with your neck is all part of taking great pictures. Tyra Banks will pan all the pictures. You are still very pretty but even Tyra said being pretty isn't the be all and end all to being a model.

My God! this is crazy....so much hateful comments hiding behind anonymous.....linda you seem to be a great person, like i said once before you have your own style of dressing and its you, people should accept that, you are sweet and feel that your blogfam are more or less your family, but please you do not need our approval just be yourself and sing your glory days all you want, I do same married with a kid and cant stop telling anyone who will listen how hot i was b4 my kid....afterall its even your blog those who do not like it should go suck a lemon.....you are not a glam glam kinda girl so leave it that, if u want to be glamourous then get to it get a stylist read fashion mags and blogs extensively i think with time you will get the hang of it, as for me my fav pix of u where the ones where you took while having drinks with friends you liked chicky and all dolled up...see different strokes....The short hair u did after all the yap, i am not feeling, so u see that you can please everyone, all the time! you rock babes, think nothing less.....have a great body BTW

Some 'advisers/critics' dont get it!!!!! THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE BQCKGROUND AND THE GLAM MODEL IS THE POINT!!!!! she (|I believe) did that purposely...and even if she doesnt say it...i get it and some other clevr people on d site..so pls stop making comment abt the background jooo....and to those who didnt know Linda as a model until now.......how did u 'stumble' to her blog? (she hissed!!!!!)